Frogs and toads have many things in common. They are both amphibians in the order Anura, which means “without a tail” in Ancient Greek. They both lay their eggs in water and their tadpoles look very similar. Frog tadpoles tend to be longer and slimmer than toad tadpoles, which tend to be short and chunky. … Read more
Amphibians have unique skin compared to that of many other vertebrates. They use their skin to breathe, and also to ‘drink’ water. Many frogs feel slimy because their skin is covered in a mucous coating, which helps them keep their skin moist, enabling them to efficiently breathe through their skin. The slime also creates an environment for … Read more
Cuban tree frogs are native to Cuba, the Bahamas, and the Cayman Islands. However, they were introduced to the coast of Florida, as well as parts of Puerto Rico, and several other places around the Americas and are now considered an invasive species in those places. Like most frogs, Cuban treefrogs are obligate carnivores as adults, which means … Read more
All living things need water to survive. Water plays a vital role in the regulation of toads’ body fluids, and allows their bodies to keep up with important functions, such as getting rid of wastes and bringing nutrients to cells. Toads do not drink water through their mouths like we do. Instead, they rehydrate by … Read more
Many people know that most frogs love to hang around water and are very efficient swimmers. Toads are a type of frog, so you may be wondering if they too like water. Most toads require water to lay their eggs, and for their tadpoles to develop. However, once the tadpoles complete metamorphosis and transform into … Read more
American green tree frogs (Hyla cinerea) are small, smooth-skinned frogs found in the central and southeastern United States, from eastern Virginia down to Florida and as far west as Texas. Their coloration varies from grayish-green to dark green to bright green. Many have white, yellow, or sometimes iridescent stripes along each side of the body, with … Read more
Gray tree frogs are fairly large tree frogs (1 – 2 inches in length) with rough, warty skin. Despite their name, not all gray tree frogs are actually gray. They vary in coloration from mottled gray or brownish-gray to light green. Gray tree frogs can change color depending on the temperature, light, or the color of their … Read more
There are over 7,000 frog species around the world – found in a wide variety of habitats, from rainforests to mountainous areas, to dry regions. Different frog species have adapted to their environments and developed breeding methods that are practical for the areas they live in. Most frog species lay eggs once or twice per … Read more
There are over 7,000 frog species around the world – found in a wide variety of habitats, from rainforests to mountainous areas, to dry regions. Different frog species tend to mate and breed at different times of the year, depending on the species, and the environment they live in. In general, frogs mate in the … Read more
Wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) are fairly small frogs found in the northeastern quarter of the United States and throughout most of Canada to central and southern Alaska. Like most frogs, Wood frogs are obligate carnivores as adults, which means they eat animal protein instead of plants or vegetation. Wood frogs are generalist predators and will eat almost any prey … Read more